Recent Posts: Out of My Mouth

Y’all remember middle school? Maybe you’ve tried to forget but I know you remember those braids your mamma finally let you get. You remember when she made you take them out when you got that C on your report card too. Or that time your friend dared you to walk in the men’s bathroom and […]

Two years ago, I was single. I was 30 years old. In single girl years, that’s about 42. By that time, I had dealt with the roller coaster of emotions that come with the territory when you’re a somewhat traditional woman who wants the whole husband, children, house by a certain age – an age […]

I recently ran across a short story I wrote about five years ago. I was happy that it popped up, remembering that it had been my first attempt at writing prose. I thought I’d read it and be impressed with myself, maybe even inspired to build on it or create something new. I read the […]

Let’s take a moment to imagine what it would be like to have been in Dr. King’s posse, his crew. Imagine him rolling through your hometown on his way to his next planned protest, asking to stop by your church and commune with your congregation. Maybe practice his next televised speech. Maybe speak to the […]

I’m not sure what’s going on in 2019, but we’re 11 days into the year and I’ve been werking – with the e, not the o. Werk is the type you do that’s hard but fun and feels a little fabulous. It shouldn’t be confused with the work you do that’s not all that fun […]

My Forever Resolutions

It’s the New Year! Are y’all excited? According to my Facebook timeline, y’all are. It is indeed a blessing to see another year. Many people did not. For that, I’m abundantly thankful. However, I can’t say that I am going into this new year with much more excitement than I had leaving last year. What I felt two days ago on December 31st is just about what I feel now – a sense of urgency. I got ish to do! And I need to hurry up and get to it! So I don’t have New Year’s Resolutions, I have Forever Resolutions. These are more or less themes that continue to come up for me because they’re important. They’re becoming my life pillars. If I’m not doing one of these things in ten years, you have permission to check me (but don’t be rude about it because I’m pretty on point with the clap back).

Image cred: “Loving Me” by Shakira Rivers

Loving myself

Girl! Why is this so hard? Idk!! I want to love myself truly, deeply, consistently, and intentionally. That means that I have to forgive myself, stay in shape, moisturize my hair, speak positively about myself to myself, address my weaknesses, require others to treat me with respect, stop eating so many cookies, treat my edges with kindness, take responsibility for my mistakes, read the bible, give others the benefit of the doubt, floss everyday, seek God, drink more water, ignore the haters, and pursue my goals. Do you see how many things that is? It’s a lot and it’s not an exhaustive list! I have to do it though. Loving myself makes me a more effective person. It allows me to accept love from others. It allows me to give love to others as well. It’s on the “gotta do this for the rest of my life” list.

Starting, Maintaining, and Finishing projects

There are several things I’ve wanted to do for a few years now. I’ve been writing a book for forever. I want to start a new blog with a friend. I want to do a few guest posts on other blogs. But what have I been doing? Eating cookies and watching Netflix! Chocolate chip cookies, too. Sometimes I do brownies. Sometimes I get reduced fat Wheat Thins but the reduced fat part doesn’t matter because I usually eat them with crunchy peanut butter and I always eat too many at one time. #whyisitsodelicious I have felt very strongly about doing these things though. These projects are always at the forefront of my mind, and I think that’s God. It’s His way of telling me that it has to get done. Y’all, I don’t want to disappoint God. I really don’t. But them Wheat Thins tho . . . *sigh* If nothing else, I have to publish a book. I’m putting that in the atmosphere. It must be done.

Community Involvement

I don’t know if “community involvement” is exactly what I mean here but it’s what I came up with. I have recently become much more racially conscious. I feel a strong calling to advocate for and uplift people of color, especially African-Americans. Basically, I want to be an activist. I am an activist. Right now, my activism manifests itself in different ways. I need to always be in a structured or informal mentor relationship with a young person. I need to always be an active member of organizations like my sorority, Urban League, or the NAACP. I need to always (but not solely) write about racially charged issues, experiences, perspectives, etc. I aspire to become more connected and influential in my community so that I can assist in bridging gaps, building wealth, and ensuring political representation for black communities. #soblack #veryblack #realblack #blackblack

So that’s it folks. I’ll be doing the same stuff I’ve been doing. Then after that, I’ll keep doing them. And then when I get done with that, I’ll just do the same things.

Hope all of you have a few things in mind for yourselves. I also hope your goals help make the world a better place, even if it’s only within your realm of influence. If you also need to eat less cookies, brownies, or Wheat Thins with crunchy peanut butter, I suggest taking a picture of yourself in a bathing suit and posting it on your fridge. Helps me to keep mine closed. Best wishes for a prosperous new year!

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I'm Mariah. Jesus is my homie. I live in (and was raised in) the south. I am, as often as possible, actively grateful for my family because I understand their life giving power. Really dislike melodramatics. Really love reading and writing so much so that I aspire to be an author. What else?